Eberhard Gerhard "Al" Grosser's Obituary
Eberhard Gerhard Grosser, known to friends and colleagues as Al, passed away on December 4, 2025, in Wesley Chapel, Florida, at the age of 84. He was born on April 17, 1941, in Fellhammer, Germany. He moved from East Germany to the United States on February 19, 1958, settling initially in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he worked for Eastside Chevrolet as an auto mechanic. In 1963, he enlisted in the United States Army and served on an artillery unit at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, until 1965. In 1969, he relocated to Tampa, Florida, and spent the next seven years managing gas stations for Texaco and Citgo. During this time, he attended the Tampa Police Academy and became an auxiliary police officer. He went on to receive an Associate of Arts degree in Police Science from Hillsborough Community College and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from the University of South Florida. In 1976, Al attended the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Correctional Academy and began his law enforcement career as a correctional officer. Beginning in 1978, he worked in many different roles at the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, from deputy sheriff to corporal to detective. He completed many undercover assignments and participated in task forces alongside the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigations. He retired from HCSO in 1996 after 25 years of service and began a second career as a fraud investigator for Geico Insurance, where he remained for 15 years. He permanently retired in January of 2013.
Al met his wife Catherine, better known as Dee, in 1976. The couple shared 44 wonderful years of marriage and raised a family together. He was an avid bicyclist and runner, and he participated in many triathlons and Gasparilla Distance Classics over the years. He had a passion for Porsche cars and soccer, a sport which he played and coached for many years during his youth and continued watching into his later years. One of his favorite activities was breakfast with his buddies, a group of friends and neighbors who met weekly at First Watch for many years.
Al is survived by his wife Dee Grosser; his children Kimberly Valentino (Robert), Todd Stefan, and Scott Stefan; his grandchildren Justin Brown (Tricia), Shanna Brown, and Jacob Stefan; his eight great-grandchildren; and his siblings Ursula Czoik and Michael Czoik. He was predeceased by his mother Ilse Czoik, Konrad Czoik, and his aunt and uncle Robert and Ursula Page.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Gulfside Hospice, Elite Eldercare Solutions, and to family and friends for all of their support. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Al’s memory to Gulfside Hospice: https://www.gulfside.org/hospice.html.
What’s your fondest memory of Eberhard?
What’s a lesson you learned from Eberhard?
Share a story where Eberhard's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Eberhard you’ll never forget.
How did Eberhard make you smile?